Best Touring Paddle Board
By: James | Last update: 11 May 2022
Standup paddle boarding is sports and recreation to the next level. No wonder why it quickly rose to popularity among adventure enthusiasts because the benefits list just goes on and on. Paddle boarding is not only a great sport, but it’s also a perfect workout alternative! A regular SUP session incredibly boosts your total body and cardiovascular health. So, if you’re after an exhilarating adventure and a healthy lifestyle, paddle boarding might just be for you.
However, just like other sports, even SUP can be different from an enthusiast’s point of view. While some enjoy braving the extreme slaps of ocean waves, some prefer paddle boarding a little lax. If you’re more for traveling longer and further on your SUP board, a touring paddle board might just be perfect for you. Finding the best touring paddle board doesn’t have to be complicated. All you need is a little knowledge of practical buying tips and you’re good to go!
🥇Best inflatable choice
Red Paddle Co Voyager 12’6″
🥇Best hardboard choice
Fanatic Ray Touring 12’6″
🥈Best budget choice
Aqua Marina Hyper 11’6″
Why Choose a Touring Paddle Board?
Not everyone wants their sport rough and extreme. Some like it when they are able to do an expedition-style of activity where beautiful places can be feasted by their eyes. When you love paddling on quiet rivers and appreciating nature, a touring paddle board can give you just that.
If you’re a touring SUP beginner, it’s wise to choose a board that will keep you comfortable while standing in one place. But for a touring enthusiast who’s gone a few multi-day expeditions and campaigns in-between, you have to get the best touring paddle board!
Most Common Paddle Boards
Today, different stand-up paddle boards are being offered in the market, all of which are crafted for a specific purpose. To give you an idea about the various types of SUP boards here are some quick reviews:
- Touring – This paddle board is about straightforward SUP boarding. Made for the most part for level water and gigantic sea paddling, these SUP boards are fundamentally shorter than all over paddle SUP boards. Most downwinders choose this when they are SUP boarding beginning with one spot onto the following. The nose is made a sharp shape to allow the board to slide and cut through the water effectively. The more widened the touring paddle board is, the more successfully it slices through the water. Of course, relentlessness is to some degree diminished.
- Race – With basically a similar shape as a touring SUP board, race boards are generally made for speed. These are made wide with pointed noses, yet are more unobtrusive and stood out against touring boards.
- All Round – Considered the most picked paddle board for countless SUP enthusiasts and beginners, an all round paddle board gives the most grounded feel on the water as differentiated from other advanced SUP boards. The standard sizes of these SUP boards are thick with a more extensive nose and tail. Almost everything about this SUP board is made to give the most experience while SUP boarding.
- Surf – This is made for people who prefer riding on adventurous waves. Ordinarily more limited in length, surf paddle boards have higher adaptability. Regardless, like other SUP boards, there’s always a catch. Surf SUP boards are generally slower, yet more consistent, especially on level water.
Touring Paddle Board: A Well-Rounded Board for Every Occasion
Choosing a touring paddle board is probably one of the best decisions you could probably have. Because among the many SUP boards offered in the market, this one is crafted for almost all types of paddle boarding activities. Contrary to what naysayers say that “it’s just for fad”, to own a touring SUP board actually gives you more choices in your SUP activities.
When it comes to finding the best touring paddle board in the market, it only comes down to how much you know about the product. So, here are the important buying factors that you need to consider when buying a touring SUP board:
Storage Capacity
- D-Rings
- Tie Downs
- Bungee Systems
- Dry Bag/Deck Bags
- Dry Sacks
- Kayak Seat/Beach Chair
- Board
- Weight
- Width
- Length
- Thickness
- Fins
- Boxes
- Setup
- Hull
- Planing
- Displacement
- Type
- Inflatable
- Hardboard
The sliders below will show you what the qualities of an touring paddle board are per category:
Common Buying Traps: Why Some People Fail at Finding the Best Touring Paddle Board
Just to set your expectations, SUP boards have thrived in the sports market today. And browsing through online shops, you’ll find at least hundreds of choices from touring paddle boards alone. If you’re a newbie in purchasing a SUP board, you might feel overwhelmed by a lot of information. So, here are some common buying traps to avoid when purchasing your touring SUP board:
- Passing on the negative reviews – SUP boards can be effective for some, while not for others. This is because a SUP board’s performance is determined by the user’s skill level, BMI, and the accessories he/she chose to put on the board. However, reviews can help you decide whether the touring paddle board you’re eyeing is a catch. Don’t pass on the negative reviews! Read them carefully and you might learn a thing or two. Because by reading these bad reviews, you’d totally spot which SUP boards won’t even make it off your knees.
- Not taking note of your touring habits – Are you more into multi-day expeditions with campings in-between? Or are you the occasional paddler who would prefer a maximum of a full-day tour? These factors will affect your touring SUP board’s features like dimensions, storage capacity, hull, and fins. Choose the board that caters to your touring needs. Because in the long run, what you’d want is something that gives you the utmost convenience, not just performance.
- Not giving a good thought to the budget – Quality comes with a price. We all know that cheaper SUP boards can save you money, but there’s always a reason why a product is cheap. On average, a SUP board can cost from $400 to $1100 depending on the features and brand. Now, good boards can come with a hefty price, but know that you get what you pay for. Another thing that you have to consider is the type of SUP board. An iSUP costs around $400-$800 while hard SUPs can be as pricey as $1000! So, before you click on checkout, make sure that you’re buying the right board for you.
Research Factors for the Best Touring Paddle Board
Now, here comes the detailed part. We don’t want you leaving this page without feeling confident about your SUP board shopping preferences. So, here are really useful information about finding the best touring paddle board:
🏆 The Best Touring Paddle Board Qualities |
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STORAGE CAPACITYYour SUP board, whether it’s inflatable or hard board, has a very limited storage space. And when you’re going on an expedition, this limitation can pose hassle if you’re not entirely prepared. That’s why D-rings, anchors, bungee systems, and storage spaces are crucial in your touring. Considered as additional accessories, we think that these additions are not optional anymore because, without these, your SUP adventure won’t be easy. So here are some brief descriptions about the perfect plus ones for the best touring paddle board: |
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D-RingsThese D-shaped metal accessories that can be glued to your inflatable touring board are a must-have. D-rings serve as a multi-purpose accessory when you want to attach things onto your iSUP like an anchor, kayak seat, leash, bungee system, and coolers. There are PVC-compatible glues that you can buy to attach these accessories easily. Some iSUP boards come with a default number of D-rings, but it pays to add more. Mostly found on the rear of the paddle board for the leash or anchor, you can also put some on the sides and mid-area. If you’re planning to add D-rings to your iSUP board, make sure that you’ve come up with the best spot to stick them. Because these small accessories are a bit hard to remove. |
Tie Downs/AnchorsAn anchor is actually a D-ring attachment. So, attaching extra D-rings onto your board actually helps a lot. Usually placed at the rear of the paddle board, an anchor is a must-have to keep your board steady when you’re on the dock or taking air drone shots in the middle of the sea. You can DIY an anchor, but it’s better to purchase an anchor specific to your touring needs. |
Bungee SystemsYou’re not a real SUP enthusiast if you don’t have a bungee system tied/installed on your SUP board. This cost-effective storage area helps you tie down bags, coolers, and containers securely onto your SUP board. Oftentimes, bungee cords are attached to D-rings, so it’s essential that you know where to install your D-rings. You will find bungee storage kits, which usually come with D-rings, PVC patches, and a bungee cord, in the online market. |
Dry Bag/Deck BagsIf you’re going on an expedition with campings in-between, you’re going to need waterproof storage bags to keep your belongings. You will find vinyl-coated deck bags in the market, with an average capacity of around 15 liters. Take note that some deck bags are splashproof, but not waterproof underwater. |
Dry SacksIf you prefer a storage bag that’s completely waterproof, even in spontaneous and harsh waves, a SUP dry sack can come in handy. This waterproof bag will float in the water. You can buy online with a storage capacity of 2 liters up to 30 liters. |
Kayak Seat/Beach ChairIf you haven’t seen some of those extra low “kayak seats” customized for iSUP board, there are some in the market. There are also foldable beach chairs sold specifically for stand up paddle boards. These seats can come in for practical use like resting or fishing. Usually strapped on D-rings, a SUP seat takes a little tightening (using bungee cords) when setting it up. |
🏄♂️BOARDTouring stand up paddle boards vary in shapes and sizes. The board shape depends on your SUP activity, the waters where you always use it, and your weight. Take note of your weight and the board’s weight capacity. Because we’ve found some reviews from disappointed customers, how they never made it to their knees and the SUP boards they bought sank. Here are useful details on how to pick the right board shape/type for you: ● Weight – This is determined by the board’s dimensions, volume, and shape. Keep in mind that when you’re calculating the weight capacity, including the average weight of boarding companions or gears. ● Width – Wider boards mean more balance and maneuverability. Narrower boards are faster, but lesser in control. ● Length – When it comes to SUP touring, longer boards perform better. A lengthy touring SUP board also gives more storage space, especially on inflatable SUP boards. ● Thickness – If you are buying an inflatable SUP board, we think it’s best to purchase a board that’s around 6 inches (or more) thickness. You’d want your touring SUP board to be rigid and stable for longer hours of paddling. |
FinsA fin is necessary because it contributes to the board’s straight traction against the waters. Without it, you won’t be going too far during your expedition! |
BoxesAll stand up paddle boards come with a default or standard fin box with at least one main fin. It is usually known as the US fin box, or in iSUPs, a snap-in fin system. |
Fin SetupsThere is the most common setup called the 2+1 fin setup. This standard fin setup is ideal for any type of paddler. For surf SUP enthusiasts, you will see their boards with Quad fin or a Thruster fin setup (more than three). We think that as a touring SUP board lover, you should go for a minimum of a three-fin setup for effective maneuverability. |
HullPaddle board hulls have two types: the planing and the displacement hull. The shape of each hull directly affects the SUP board’s performance on the water. |
Planing HullThe planing hull is generally flat and wide, which makes it best for recreational SUP activities like whitewater SUP, all round SUP, SUP yoga, and SUP surfing.This hull looks more rounded on the edges and its nose. Often times, SUP boards with planing hull can look more like a longboard. These hulls are more controllable, but they have less speed and need more power to glide on water. |
Displacement HullOn the contrary, a displacement hull is made looking more edgy and pointy, looking more similar like that of a kayak or a canoe. SUP boards with displacement hulls are those for SUP racing, fitness paddling, SUP touring, and any long-distance paddling. Why displacement hulls are longer and narrower is because they are designed to slice through the water more effectively. The While SUP boards track impressively straight and have great speed, the trade-off is the small loss of maneuverability. |
TypeCurrently, there are two types of stand up paddle boards that dominate the market today. Truth is, the type really depends on your recreational lifestyle. Both are good, but it’s important that you determine which type really works for you. |
InflatableCrafted with durable PVC layers and drop-stitch construction, this light-weight, but equally rigid iSUP board can give you a grea paddling experience. If you’re more for portability, increased storage, and beginner’s paddling experience, an inflatable touring paddle board might be a good choice. |
HardboardWhen it comes to performance, a SUP board made from hardboard is faster and more stable in terms of SUP surfing and racing. It slices through the waters easily, but needs extra room when transporting the board from one place to another. If you’re more for customization, this might be the one for you. |
Conclusion
The quest for the best touring paddle board is just easy, when you’re equipped with the right knowledge. We hope that you found this article really useful, especially if you’re still weighing your choices. Always remember that a SUP adventure does not only mean braving through the waves. Sometimes, the best paddling experience comes from being able to appreciate the beauty of nature with extra convenience.
I have made a selection of the best touring paddle board(s) for you. View my selection at the top of this page.
Looking for more speed? Take a look at our article about the best race paddle board.